Admissions Blog - John Cabot University

Activism in the Institute of Future and Innovation Studies at JCU

Written by John Cabot University | February 14, 2022 1:52:19 PM Z

It’s a great feeling to be part of a group that wants positive change in the world. Activism brings people, institutions, and groups together to promote, educate, and change social, economic, environmental, and political agendas. By studying at John Cabot University in Rome, you can be part of this movement toward positive change as you develop a global outlook and follow your personal pathway. 

At John Cabot University, we pride ourselves on being activists: inspiring and being inspired by our student body, clubs, and our Institute of Future and Innovation Studies. Read on to discover how our Institute of Future and Innovation Studies fosters activism and change! 

 

Acting on Climate Change at JCU

Global warming is affecting the world around us and impacting the environment at a rapid pace. From soaring temperatures to rising sea levels, the effects of global warming are being felt today and necessitate decisive action. That’s why the Institute of Future and Innovation Studies hosted the online TED Countdown initiative TEDxJohnCabotUniversity. The initiative, licensed by TED and hosted by JCU, brought change-makers, educators, JCU’s environmental club Grassroots, and entrepreneurs from over 90 countries together to get those creative juices flowing and find solutions. Discussions on electric alternatives, renewable energy, solar power, and more took place. It’s just one of the many ways that our students are looking to take action against climate change.

 

At John Cabot University, our students are activists for change 

 

Tackling Issues Related to Technology and Democracy 

When you study abroad in Rome at John Cabot University, you can discuss some of the most pressing issues facing democracy today. As advances in technology continue at a fast pace, technological issues that are impacting our democratic rights as global citizens are starting to appear. Technology can be a useful mechanism that advances societies when used within the right parameters and within the right context. However, there have been concerns about how the use of technology by corporate powers and centralized governments has created a gray area for public and private forms of democratic participation within society. 

The Institute of Future and Innovation Studies decided to host a public forum with international associations and universities to have an open discussion on the complex relationships that exist between technology and democracy. Participants also discussed how surveillance tools and social media platforms are undermining the core foundation of democratic participation. 

 

The Repercussions of Our Impact on Earth's Ecosystems

The pandemic has had a major impact on the world, which makes preventing future outbreaks of utmost importance. That is why the Institute of Future and Innovation Studies organized a lecture on “The First Pandemic of the Anthropocene.” This lecture is part of the online lecture series “Cortona Pearls,” which tackles systemic questions related to the most pressing scientific and human challenges of our time. The lecture strove to examine the origins of the Coronavirus pandemic, plan out a systemic response, and propose a coordinated change on a global scale in order to avoid similar events from occurring again in the future. The discussion acknowledged that the pandemic did not occur by chance, but was brought about by a long-building biological crisis created by climate change, the widespread disruption of ecosystems, pollution, and much more. By raising awareness and discussing these issues, students helped address these pressing concerns. 

 

 

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